Sermons from May 2016

Sermons from May 2016

An extraordinary task

Though we are just ordinary Christians, God has given us the extraordinary task of making sure that outsiders hear about Jesus. In this passage, Paul reminds the Colossians of what it is that they must do in order for this to happen. What a great privilege and responsibility we have!

What is faith?

Whether we realise it or not, we all exercise faith on a daily basis – the chair we sit on, the plain we catch, the tablets we take etc. Likewise, Christian faith is something we exercise as a natural part of our day-to-day dependence on God. In this message Pastor Murray helps us understand what this means in practical terms as it affects our view of the future, things we cannot see or touch, and creation. Ultimately, faith in God, true life-shaping faith, causes us to worship Him, which we see exemplified in the life of Abel. All faith leads us to God whose promises to us find their fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

Instructions for the Christian Home

For the Christian, the gospel of Jesus should intersect and overlap into every aspect of our lives. It should change the way we live and should impact our relationships with each other both at church, and at home. Listen as Pastor Dave looks at the Apostles Paul’s instructions for Christian homes and families and how the gospel should be at work in our key relationships.

When the Going Gets Tough

Bad things happen! What’s more, bad things happen to Christians! They happen because of our own sinfulness, because of the sinfulness of others, and because we live in a world seriously damaged by sin. So how does the Christian cope when bad things happen in life? In today’s passage the readers are encouraged in two specific ways to keep themselves from losing heart and falling away from Christ. Real faith is persevering faith. It actually becomes stronger when the going gets tough. Faith rests in the certainties of Christ when circumstances seem hopeless. What are you facing today? Look up: “The righteous person will live by faith”!

Peter Francis: Praying The Missional Heart Of God

Long before Jesus gave the ‘Great Commission’ he taught his disciples to pray the ‘Great Petition’, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done.” Such a prayer will always compel us to become shares in the mission of God in this world.

The Difference Christ Makes

When a person becomes a Christian, he or she inevitably begins to change. The old way of thinking and behaving, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, is steadily replaced by the new life of Christ. And we are to cooperate with the Spirit in this ongoing process as we “put to death” the old life and “put on” the new life. In this message we look at some of the practical changes that take place when we allow the peace of Christ, the Word of Christ, and the name of Christ to get to work in our lives. To really know Christ is to experience the powerful difference only he can make in every possible area of life. “If anyone is in Christ he or she is a new creation”. I wonder whether that is true of us?

The High Calling Of Being A Mother

It seems as though our culture today is confused about the role of motherhood. On the on hand it champions the place of women and celebrates childbirth, yet at the same time it suggests that when it comes to the task of raising children and managing your home, this is in some way the last option for women and not her first choice. The role of those who chose to stay at home and raise their children is often discounted and at times demeaned. Listen as Pastor Dave looks at what the Bible has to say about the role of motherhood, that it is indeed a high calling and sacred duty that ultimately points our children to Jesus.

Living the new life

Paul has reminded the Colossians that the Christian has died to the old life and been given a new life in Christ. Now he shows them what it looks like to live out their new life. Join us as we think about what it means for us to take off the old life with its practices and to put on the new life. Each of us must ask ourselves this question: How does the fact that I have a new life in Christ affect the way that I live?

The Seriousness of Sin

WARNING! This message contains themes that most people don’t want to hear about… namely sin, judgement and hell. In an age of “warm fuzzies” and non-judgementalism it is not politically correct to even hint that a person’s sin might have consequences. Our passage today is aimed specifically at people who claim to be Christians, and seem to be comfortable mixing in church circles, but have no conscience about deliberately and shamelessly committing certain sins. To do so is to make a mockery of the sacrifice Jesus has made for our forgiveness, and to expose us to the judgement of God. Yes, sin is problem we all face. But that is why we must keep repenting. Blatant ongoing sinning is another matter. Let us never forget that “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”.